# 相得益彰

xiāng dé yì zhāng

Complement each other and enhance the result

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Each gains and becomes more evident

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise a combination whose parts improve one another.

It requires mutual benefit rather than merely placing things together.

## The image & its use

A clear explanation can make a diagram easier to read, while the diagram makes the explanation easier to understand. This expression describes that two-way improvement. It can apply to collaborators, materials, colors, sounds, and many other combinations. The parts may be quite different, which is often why they work well together. Describe the contribution of each part to show the connection. Two attractive things in the same place do not necessarily enhance each other unless their relationship supports the whole.

## Examples

图表与文字说明相得益彰。

### Traditional Chinese

圖表與文字說明相得益彰。

tú biǎo yǔ wén zì shuō míng xiāng dé yì zhāng 。

The diagrams and written explanation enhance one another.

她的细心与他的创意相得益彰。

### Traditional Chinese

她的細心與他的創意相得益彰。

tā de xì xīn yǔ tā de chuàng yì xiāng dé yì zhāng 。

Her care and his creativity complement each other.

木色书架与绿色植物相得益彰。

### Traditional Chinese

木色書架與綠色植物相得益彰。

mù sè shū jià yǔ lǜ sè zhí wù xiāng dé yì zhāng 。

The wooden shelves and green plants bring out the best in each other.

这段音乐与画面相得益彰，让主题更加鲜明。

### Traditional Chinese

這段音樂與畫面相得益彰，讓主題更加鮮明。

zhè duàn yīn yuè yǔ huà miàn xiāng dé yì zhāng ， ràng zhǔ tí gèng jiā xiān míng 。

The music and images enhance each other and clarify the theme.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1324&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%9B%B8%E5%BE%97%E7%9B%8A%E5%BD%B0)

## Keep exploring

- [相辅相成 xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng Complement and strengthen each other ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiang-fu-xiang-cheng)

- [相敬如宾 xiāng jìng rú bīn Maintain mutual courtesy within marriage ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiang-jing-ru-bin)

- [笑容可掬 xiào róng kě jū Wear a warm, abundant smile ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-rong-ke-ju)

- [笑逐颜开 xiào zhú yán kāi Beam with happiness ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-zhu-yan-kai)

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